Watch: Rare whale shark spotting in Abu Dhabi

Environmental authorities are on the lookout for a rare whale shark spotted swimming in Abu Dhabi waters.

The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi is urging the public not to approach the fish, which is considered an endangered species, and to alert authorities if you see it.

Officers posted a video on Facebook of the whale shark, a dark grey colour with white spots, swimming.

They wrote: "EAD is monitoring Khor Al Maqta for the presence of a whale shark. Considered Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, Whale Sharks appear occasionally in the marinas and waterways of Abu Dhabi during this time of year and are not harmful.

"If you come across a Whale Shark, please do not approach them and let us know by calling 800555."

Whale sharks were designated as an endangered species in 2016, meaning they are considered vulnerable to extinction as numbers have halved in the past 75 years.

They are usually found in warm temperate and tropical waters and are thought to be harmless to humans.